what would you do?

Question

If you couldn't get a local number for your city? This is for bandit signs and Ican get my area code but not my local city number. So should I just get a 800 number and have it ring to my cell phone?

George P. · Answer

Try getting a pre-paid cell phone with a cellular company - they'll give you a local number
Try vonage or other VOIP providers - they always have tons of areas to choose from

Peter G. Cronje · Answer

People do have ways and means to find out information when they want it bad enough.
            Douglas, I think you have a great idea getting someone to answer yout 800 number.  What system do you have in place for the live answer of the 800 number?

Paul Yevzikov · Answer

After evaluating all the options, I just bought a prepaid cell phone.

Out of prepaid plans, Virgin mobile offers the best. Verizon and ATT/Cingular require a driver's license, so there goes your anonymity.

Tmobile is expensive. Only downside to virgin mobile is you can't forward calls, so you are stuck carrying a second cell phone.

But that should be a constant reminder to keep it ringing, anyway.

Paul

Dwayne Stutzman · Answer

I don't think theres really any total way of keeping people from finding out who a phone number belongs to. If someone wants to find out bad enough they can go online and pay to get the information.

Donte Mazyck · Answer

stutz how much are you paying to forward each call using skype?  i signed up and i think the cost is $1 for each forward, which could get expensive especially if you get a few hundred calls per week.  i think it might be cheaper to get a minute cell phone where you can buy minutes for $10 or more.

Dwayne Stutzman · Answer

SeeMo I think its only 21 to 24 cents a call. Thats what the rates page says. But if I'm home and in my office and have the skype on I can answer it there for nothing on my computer.

Douglas Christian · Answer

Chris

I disagree with you.  I have a 800 number and I get more calls than I can handle and that is why I got the 800 number.  Here's the difference there is a live person that answers my calls 24/7.

You only pay for what you use.  We gave them scripts and they work.  I can go anywhere in the country and do business and my 800 then emails me the info.

I can put a add in your local paper and people will call me, but the problem is that many investors do not have a live person answering there calls.

When people are in trouble they do not want to get a voice mail.  When you market as much as I do and are successful at it your phone will ring off the hook.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THOSE CALLS.

Dan Franks · Answer

I bought a "Magic Jack" not too long ago and it actually worked quite well.  Saw it on one of those CNBC infomercials, and stopped buy Best Buy and picked it up for $40, which pays for hardware, local number, and a year of service.

I read some bad reviews on it but gave it a go, and so far has worked out really well for me.

Demos Loizides · Answer

I use JConnect. For $15/mo. I get a local number with voice mail/fax capabilities. The voice mail messages and faxes come to my e-mail box.

Chris A · Answer

I don't know what you are really talking about but I think I can still advise you to avoid an 800 number.  Personally I would never call an 800 number related to a marketing sign or ad.  Seeing that 800 tells me that it is some out of state entity and not somebody local.  I would avoid it.